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Cancer treatments and survival rates have vastly improved in the last few decades, thanks in part to early detection, medical advancements, and education. There are 2.9 million breast cancer survivors, and I am proud to count myself among them. However, there is more to battling breast cancer than chemotherapy, radiation, or medication. My journey to wellness included more than just modern medicine. It also inspired me to examine my spirit, my relationships, and the way I lived my life.

When I walked into the sunlight a few days ago after my last treatment, I was definitely proud that I slayed the dragon. However, it might surprise you to know that I wasn’t angry or bitter over my journey. All I felt was love and gratitude for cancer. Why? Because I find myself amazed and inspired by all that cancer has taught me about how to better live my life.

While no one wants to go through hard times (myself included), the reality is that these experiences can often be moments of huge personal growth. It makes sense to me that the Chinese word for “crisis” means “opportunity,” and I have chosen to remember that during this difficult journey.

Cancer forced me to stop my life and consider how I was treating my body, relationships, and especially myself. As a result, I have discovered new glorious roads to travel in mind, spirit, and career. Thanks to cancer, I have learned many lessons and created new commitments for living a fuller, richer, more connected, love-filled life. Below find mine, and how I am fulfilling them./p>

I commit to be more compassionate to myself (and thus to others).

Becoming a practitioner of compassionate and radical self-care was the most powerful and positive change I made in my quality of life after I was diagnosed with cancer. This played a key role in my cancer treatment and recovery.

I take the time to meditate and practice yoga every day, spend quality time with friends, and pursue my passions, even when I worry I’m being selfish by doing so.

Whenever I start to feel guilty, I remember that when I take care of my own needs, I am a happier person with more energy and more compassion for those I love. They also like me a lot better after meditation and yoga!

I set boundaries with those who have fewer than me, and I am unapologetic for doing so.

I say “no” when the easy thing to do would be to say "yes." Or the reverse!

I always forgive myself for forgetting, slacking, or messing up (by accident or design).

I commit to choosing love over fear

Facing cancer usually means facing a wide array of fears around your mortality, your future, your relationships, even your physical appearance. But on the flip side, at least for me, cancer taught me there is very little in life I can actually control.

While life can often be scary, we can choose how we approach each situation and whether we are going to confront the experience from a place of love or fear. When we operate from fear, we experience feelings of threat, scarcity and mistrust, so our mood, experience and interactions reflect that. When we operate from love, we may feel very scared and vulnerable at first, but the rewards are endless. Open-heartedness always leads to joy and abundance.

I keep my heart open, even when I am worried that I might get hurt or be judged.

I remember I can’t really ever be abandoned if I don’t abandon myself.

I forgive. Always. And I try to look at those who have hurt me through a more generous lens.

Just because I have a story about someone’s agenda, every story is arguable and I can choose to change it. My last thought, even if fear-based, is not nearly as important as the next thought I can choose to create.

I know (really know) that I am absolutely OK no matter what life throws at me or where I end up, and that the safety I seek is only exclusively inside me.

I commit to being in the moment

Cancer reminded me how much I really wanted to live, so appreciating every moment is more important than ever. Now, when the kids are making a mess in the bathroom, I’ll join in on the bubble fight rather than worrying about cleaning up. And, even when we are rushing from activity to activity, I don’t let the clock keep us from connecting in real, memorable ways. Ironically, we are hardly ever late, and when we show up, we are more calm, relaxed, and positive.

Here are some ways I stay in the moment:

I work on letting go of the desire to fix, manage, or control. Anything. Or at least if the desire is there, not succumbing to it!

I commit to showing myself to the world in my own “perfectly imperfect” way (like my first wigless TV appearance on Dr. Oz!).

I continue to try things totally out of my comfort zone even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or embarrassing.

What is the opportunity you are faced with right now that is asking you to grow and change? What commitments are you willing to make?

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